Pilot Training Process

Heroes Remember

Pilot Training Process

Transcript

Everybody wanted to be the pilot and not in the other parts we weren't trained but it was just that you wanted to train as a pilot and we went through that gymnastics to do that and we trained as a pilot in Edmonton and got my solo there and after that training we were sent to Yorktown, Saskatchewan for service flying turn and the particular course I was on was the first course that was trained at Yorktown. It was a brand new station and under (inaudible), we flew Harvards and gradually got my wings and after that, we went on leave and then we were posted overseas. And we went overseas to Bournemouth and then eventually went to an OTU in England to train on Defiant, night fighter aircraft and then was posted to 256 squadron as a pilot on the squadron.

Description

Mr. Dove provides detail as to the process involved in pilot training and his posting to 256 Squadron.

Orvel Dove

Mr. Orvel Dove was born in Innisfree, Alberta November 26, 1921. After graduating from high school, Mr. Dove decided to join the air force. With the hope of becoming a pilot, Mr. Dove traveled to Regina Saskatchewan for training, received his wings and became a night-fighter pilot with the RAF 256 Squadron. On February 10, 1942, while testing aircraft, Mr. Dove was involved in an accident and convalesced at East Grinstead Hospital in England. Upon recovery, Mr. Dove spent the remainder of his war time with Ferry Command, ferrying single-engine aircraft. Later in life and because of his wonderful experiences at East Grinstead Hospital, he became a member of the Guinea Pig Club and continues to share friendships forged during those years. Mr. Dove married after the war and moved to Kamloops, British Columbia.

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